The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly advises Russian citizens to refrain from traveling to Germany without urgent necessity, according to a statement from the foreign policy agency.

According to the statement, Germany "continues to record flagrant instances of groundless harassment of Russian citizens and compatriots by authorities under the pretext of enforcing EU restrictions on the movement of 'sanctioned goods.'"

"The prohibition on export from Germany also extends to personal use items on the 'sanctions' list, purchased as a single item for personal needs or as a gift. If such items are discovered, customs officials may confiscate and detain them, draw up a report, and refer materials to competent authorities for a decision on punishment, including criminal liability. Attention is paid to the origin of the goods, their value, the circumstances of export, and possible signs of sanctions evasion. German officials often behave rudely and interpret sanctions rules loosely.

Germany has de facto become a 'lawless territory' for Russian citizens. An objective and comprehensive examination of sanctions violation cases is not being carried out. Inquiries from the Russian Embassy in Germany and the Russian Consulate General in Bonn regarding detentions and confiscations are being ignored," the Russian Foreign Ministry statement reads.